What is a ‘Right-To-Work’ State?

What is the difference between a “Right-to-Work” State and a “non-Right-to-Work” state?

Prior to 1947, whenever a union became the representative of employees, federal law allowed the employer and union to require all employees to pay union fees (or dues) to the union as a condition of employment.

In other words, if an employee failed to pay union fees, the union could require the employer (under a union security clause in a contract) to terminate that employee.

In 1947, Congress amended the National Labor Relations Act to allow individual states to enact so-called “Right-to-Work” laws that make required payments to a union unlawful.

Currently, there are 28 Right-to-Work states and 22 states that allow employees to be fired for not paying a union.

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